The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-06-23
Burying His Five Sons.

a Lycoming county farmer, blessed
by the possession of broad acres and
fat cattle, and fatter cash account, had
given his i've sons-more precious than
all beside-that the union might be
preserved. His name was Rankin.
bis wife was dead and his boys were
his only solace, but when the war
against his country was declared he felt
as dld Folumnia the mother of Coriol-
anus, when she said: Had | dozen
sons, each in my love alike, had
rather have eleven die nobly for their
country than one voluptuously surfeit
ont OF action" So the Rankin bows
went to confront grim visaged war.
Tie life blood of two of them made
more fertile the rank growth of the
peninsula, and their bodies lay I'M
claimed amid the thousands who had
gone down in the shock of battle. The
bowed but not broken father came to
the governors Office in Harrisburg
with his tale OF woe. Andrew Curtin
never turned deaf ear to such as he.
lie said: You are too old man to go
after your sons bodies. | will send a
messenger for them, and you can rest
assured that you will be enabled to give
them burial"
And this was done.
After the second battle of Manassas
the aged father again enter the execu-
tive chamber, and without saving q
word, seated himself. The governor
recognized him at once and he thought:
Can it be that this old man has been
afflicted again?' He bade him approach
Tie visitors voice was broken, but his
tears did not fall as he said: Governor,
another Of them has gone" For a
moment Mr. Curtin could not speak.
He silently wrung the horny hand of
the despoiled father When he found
voice he said:
'sYou must not 90. l will send for
him. You shall see him again"
And this was done.
When news of the battle of Gettys-
burg reached Harrisburg, Gov. Curtin
travelled rapidly across the country
and viewed that memorable conflict
After Its conclusion he returned to
Harrisburg and was seated late at
night in his room when again Rankin
ensered without a word and silently
seated himself upon a chair. "My
God" thought Mr. Curtin, lit can
not be that the blow has fallen upon
tins old man again" He could not
bring himself to ask the question, and
for fully fifteen minutes the two men
sat in the room, their heads upon their
hands, and neither uttered a word at
last the old man said as he steadied
his voice: Governor, the other two
are gone"
The other two? This is terrible"
lie wished pass to enter the lines
that he might take home his silent sons.
You are too old" " said the angmshed
governor. Il Will send for them and
they shall be taken home.
and this was done.
After Gov. Curtin had returned to
this country at the close of his five
yesrS residence at the court of Russia,
he was IN Philadelphia when it was in
tinated to him that Mr.. Rankin, who
was still alive, would be highly de-
L-uyo,, Il No ocno4aoOor would pay
him visit when the eX-minister was
on his way to his home in Center
county Mr.. Curtin said that he would
comply with the wish, and when he
reached the railroad station nearest to
CliC L NoLiAAll7 NbAtllLN 1tlI tiltl IOlllt
he found the old man waiting for him
with a carriage. That evening the
people of the surrounding country, at
Mr.. Rankin's bidding, ilocked to do
honor to the ex-governor. The next
morning after partaking of breakfast
such as only Pennsylvania farm
house can produce, the aged agricul-
turist invited Mr.. Curtin to Join him
in a walk. He led the way to wooded
knoll near the house, and atop which
was a beautiful sodded inclosure,
surrounded by an iron railing. Within
it were five headstOncs. The old man
pointed toward them and simply said
Governor, there they lie" Bothme
bowed their heads, and neither uttered
a word In Il few moments Rankin
turned away with CHEEKY remark
about the surrounding country, and
from that moment during the two
days festivals that succeeded Mr.. Cur
tins arrival the desolate father never
again referred to ms sleeping SONS
Philadelphia NcCS.